Shropshire respond well to opening defeat to secure impressive T20 win over Cheshire
Shropshire responded well to defeat in their opening match of this season's NCCA T20 competition to impressively win the day's second game against Cheshire by eight wickets.
Having lost part one of their double-header by the same margin after putting 160 on the scoreboard, Shropshire later turned the tables on a sweltering day at Didsbury Cricket Club to come out on top in their second Group One encounter.
An unbeaten half century from Shifnal opener Joe Johnson led them to an excellent victory, following an impressive bowling performance from the county, which included three wickets for Wellington's Ollie Smith on his NCCA debut, as Cheshire were dismissed for 120.
Ed Ashlin, Shropshire's first-team coach, said: "We did well in the end to get to 160 in the first game. We felt it was probably still a few shy, but credit to Cheshire as they've got some dangerous batters at the top and they took it away from us, but there were still positives within that.
"Being put straight back into the field in the second game is always going to be tricky, but the lads responded really well.
"We managed to take wickets up front, which makes a huge difference in terms of slowing the rate down. We then batted nicely and sensibly to reach our target."
After winning the day's opening encounter, Cheshire elected to bat in game two, but were soon in trouble at 70-7, despite 37 from opener Dan Newton. Xander Selby made 25 down the order as the hosts were eventually removed for 120 with four balls of their innings remaining.
Seamer Smith bowled well to claim 3-15 from his four overs, while Ben Roberts (2-14), Roman Walker (2-22) and Anis Raza (2-28), another of the Shropshire debutants, also played their part with the ball.
Shropshire then chased well as opener Johnson ended unbeaten on 52 from 39 balls, which included a six and four boundaries, as he enjoyed partnerships with Tom Fell (25) and then Andre Bradford (36no).
Johnson and Bradford shared an unbroken stand of 78 for the third wicket as Shropshire advanced to 123-2 from the first ball of the 16th over.
Shropshire captain Fell had earlier elected to bat first in the day's opening fixture, with the visitors totalling 160-6 from their 20 overs.
Fell top scored with 52 from 37 balls, with three sixes and four boundaries, while Seb Scott (31), Theo Wylie (25) and Wellington's Morgan Ward, who hit an unbeaten 24 on his Shropshire first-team debut, also contributed.
Alex Young (2-26) and Isaac Brooks (2-28) were the pick of the Cheshire attack.
Cheshire openers Gennaro Reddy, who cracked 76 from 43 deliveries with three sixes and 10 fours, and Newton (35) put on 91 for the first wicket.
Then Kevin Carroll's unbeaten 45 helped the hosts progress to 165-2 from 16.3 overs, with Roberts and Joe Stanley the Shropshire wicket-takers.
On the contribution of Wellington teenagers Ward and Smith after both impressed on their NCCA debuts, Ashlin said: "It was really pleasing for the two young lads. Morgan kept wicket nicely in both games. He batted well in the first game. He's a good ball striker and he batted with maturity as well which was good to see.
"Ollie came in for the second game and he was superb. He bowled with control and he has an old head on young shoulders. It was great to have both of them in the team."
Shropshire continue their group fixtures in the T20 competition with two matches against Staffordshire at Wem Cricket Club on Sunday.
"We're looking forward to it," added Ashlin. "We have a lot of respect for Staffordshire. They've strengthened again this year and look like an excellent outfit, so we're going to have to be at the top of our game."
